I knew before coming to Bangladesh that I would be sick. It was really just a matter of when and how many times. When I woke up this morning, I knew I was in for a bad day… my stomach and head hurt, and I was feeling very weak. But I went to breakfast anyway, thinking that it might go away. Because nothing else seemed appetizing to my already agonized stomach, I chose to have some oatmeal and milk. I thought that since the milk was boiled that it would be ok, but it occurs to me, in hindsight, that of course it was not pasteurized, and god knows what other bacteria had not yet been removed. Yes, yes, I know. I must be more careful. But it’s still not clear to me that milk was the only problem, since I had woken up not feeling well.
When I returned to my room, I thought I might take a nap to rest, but the first of my visitors appeared. Shiraz came to discuss with me my Dhaka departure plans, but once he saw that I was in pain, he told me to lie down. Then came the children, as they do every day, to color in the coloring books I brought; and then the aiyah, who cleans the rooms, and then Shiraz’s wife, Rashida, and then the cook. Hard to rest in such a situation, but they were all worried and uncertain about what to do. One of the boys sweetly rubbed my head for a while. Somewhere in all that the vomiting started.
At around 3 I attempted to eat lunch, but the only thing I could get down was some fresh pineapple, which I promptly threw up once I reached my room again. Sleeping for the next two hours lessened the headache quite a bit. Rashida returned with oil (mustard seed oil) to rub on my head, because she said it was ‘hot.’ I didn’t have a fever, and she knew that; I’ve never been able to understand why Bengalis use oil to ‘cool down’ the head, but it did feel nice. Another hour of sleep, and more kids, more staff, and… well, now I’m awake and feeling better.
When I’m sick, I generally don’t want people around me, but I have little choice here. And I know they’re all just concerned. After a while, I even get used to it.
